Sure, I can drink plain old water all day, but I'd rather make it a little more enjoyable. Here are my top picks for keeping hydrated - the fun way - all day long.

LEMON WATER w/ PINK HIMALAYAN SALTFirst thing in the morning, before coffee or breakfast, I prepare myself a glass of water mixed with freshly squeeze lemon juice and pink Himalayan salt. Here's a post all about it. Basically, it supports your healthy, tastes better than plain water (if you can swing the tartness), but there are some things you should keep in mind so have a read at the post for all the details.

PEPPERMINT TEALately after lunch and dinner, I've been enjoying peppermint tea. It's refreshing, yet warm and cozy and kind of a little treat (key word: kind of 'cause, you know, it's not chocolate or anything). What are your favourite herbal teas?

SODASTREAMThroughout the day, I hydrate on soda water via my Sodastream. We've had it for 5 or 6 years and use it almost regularly (there have been a few short phases where it just sat there unused). On top of it being more sustainable than purchasing bottles at the shop (bye bye, Perrier), it's so easy and you never run out (I recommend having two bottles of the C02 on hand and refilling one at a time just so you are never without). MAKE IT MORE FUN: add Stevia-sweetened flavour drops

PLAIN WATEROk, so I'd be lying if I said I never drink plain water. I mean who doesn't? Especially when I'm on the go. If I leave the house to run errands, I fill my reusable stainless steel bottle with plain old water. On occasion, I'll bring my Sodastream bottle filled with soda water.

GYM DRINKWhen I hit up the gym, I bring water mixed with flavour drops and a supplement.

Sleeping well is a part of being healthy, but many of us suffer from insomnia or unrestful sleeps. Here are some of our favourite sleep aids:

SLEEP MASK

Sometimes it's as simple as a sleep mask. Whether it's because your partner is on their laptop or reading by lamp, even a little bit of light can get in the way of you and dream land. Try a sleep mask. They are also excellent for weekend morning sleeping-in and naps.

ShopLANGUOR | Kala Cotton Organic Sleep Mask

eco candle: Wax & Fire Co. from well.ca

BEDTIME YOGA w/ ECO CANDLE

​I promise... if you don't drift off straight away after a bedtime yoga sesh, you'll at least be super duper relaxed. We actually wrote a post featuring a few of our fav YouTube bedtime yoga routines here. Choose your routine, light an eco candle and zen out for 20 minutes or so before hitting the hay. Bonus: stretching out your body feels ahhh-mazing!

GOOD OLD BOOKS

We all know reading is one of the most recommended ways to fall asleep. But does it work? What if you don't like reading? {Then it might work even faster!} Even an interesting page turner can have a dozy effect. You just want to get through this one chapter... but... can't... keep... eyes... open. Zzzzzz. Give it a try.

Yep, temperature can have an affect on your sleep. It's better to have your room cooler than warmer. According to sleep.org, "the suggested bedroom temperature should be between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep" {that's 15 to 19 degrees Celsius}. They also suggest "in addition to the cooler room temperature, you should try placing a hot water bottle at your feet or wearing socks."

A few other things to try: Ensure you're getting enough SLEEP HOURS; PUT AWAY YOUR PHONE {even when your screen is on night mode, most apps excite your brain rather than relax it}; AVOID ALCOHOL {it can interrupt your circadian rhythm}, AVOID DRINKING LIQUIDS a couple hours before going to bed {less chance of needing to pee mid-sleep}:EAR PLUGS {if you don't require 100% hearing when you're sleeping}, SLEEP MEDITATIONS or SOOTHING SLEEP MUSIC. If you still have trouble with sleep, or wake up feeling like you didn't get a good rest {night after night}, consider booking an appointment with a sleep specialist. Underlying disorders - like sleep apnea - are quite common and largely go untreated.

Gut Health. If you're wondering what the whole deal is on fermented foods, check this post out. Holistic Healthy Coach Lise Blinn gives us the scoop on the foods that pack a probiotic punch!

And over to Lise:

Fermentation has recently gained mainstream popularity here in the western world; however, the pratice is anything but modern. In fact, it has been a popular way of preserving perishable foods for thousands of years. Sauerkraut is believed to have originated more than 2,000 years ago in China during the season in which cabbage didn't grow. Miso has been a staple in Chinese and Japanese diets for approximately 2,500 years. Kimchi has been a Korean delicacy since the seventh century. Kefir, which originated in Russia, has been consumed for over 3,000 years.

So what exactly is fermentation? And why is it a practice that continues to be used throughout the centuries?

The process of fermentation usually involves soaking vegetables in their own juices or salt water which then results in the growth of gut-friendly bacteria. These gut friendly bacteria then feed off the naturally occurring sugar in the vegetables and produce a substance called lactic acid. This is what gives fermented foods their tart taste. How does it preserve the food? Well as the levels of lactic acid increase, the harmful bacteria find it difficult to survive and so the food tends to last longer.

"The most popular and accessible fermented foods include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso and even apple cider vinegar!"

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, fermented foods are added to the diet to help prevent deficiencies, support the gut and vital organs, and improve detoxification. However, these days, you can buy fermented foods and beverages at just about any supermarket or local farmers market. The most popular and accessible fermented foods include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso and even apple cider vinegar!

As mentioned earlier, fermented foods have a rather... unique taste. Not everyone is fond of sipping on kombucha or adding a side of kimchi to their meal. However, the benefits are definitely something to consider and can make the sometimes unpleasant taste worth every bite. Some of these benefits include:

creating a protective lining in the intestines and shields against pathogens

enhancing nutrient content of foods and making minerals more readily available

helping remove toxins from the body

fighting inflammation

balancing hormones

promoting clear skin

I want to spend a little time here focusing on the last point and the gut-skin connection. You may not know it, but your gut and your skin are intricately linked to one another. If something is up with your gut, you skin will inevitably show it. There are a few reasons for this relationship:

1) The majority of your immune cells (about 70%) live in your gut. This means that if something goes wrong in that part of the body, your immune system will also suffer. A low immune system can be disastrous for your skin.

2) Your gut contains trillions of bacteria. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds. Ideally, there should be a healthy balance of friendly and unfriendly bacteria. Your friendly bacteria helps support your digestive system, which is responsible for ensuring the absorption of healthy vitamins, minerals and skin-boosting nutrients.

​3) Your gut is responsible for getting rid of waste and toxins from your body. If these toxins linger, your liver could become fatigued and, when that happens, your skin (along with other elimination organs) will have to compensate. This means that toxins will be excreted through the skin... hello breakouts!

So if you haven't jumped on the fermented foods train yet, what are you waiting for? There is such a wide variety of options that you should be able to find something you enjoy and can add to your diet on a daily basis to reap the benefits!

Looking for an easy way to elevate your style for an upcoming holiday party? If you're not into the 10-step getting ready routine, try one of the following tips to easily jazz up your look.

HAIR {MUST} DO

source: pinterest

Adding a bow is a fast and easy way to turn your regular old ponytail into a chic hairstyle. Whether you do a full pony or half, make sure you choose a thinner ribbon that's not too long.

NAILED IT

source: Instagram @zhannanails

Yeah, going to the nail salon for a mani isn't insta, but if you get a quality gel manicure, your nails will look sharp and last you through the few weeks of holiday parties. Ask for a sparkly accent on one fingernail to really get into the holiday spirit.

EYE POP

source: Pinterest: houseoflashes.com

A very simple way to elevate your look is to add false eyelashes. It may take you a few tries to get the hang of it, but once you've mastered it, you'll be able to apply them in a minute. The trick is to find the right look that flatters your eye shape. Be gentle and take care of them and they'll last you a few wears.

TIP: use scissors to trim if they're too long for your eye shape.

GIMME COLOUR

source: Instagram @cakeyconfessions

A version of this look can be achieved with minimal fuss. Just add a deep red or wine long-lasting lipstick, shimmery gold eyeshadow {over brown eyeshadow so it really pops} and lots of mascara.

JUST ADD SHIMMER

source: Pinterest

source: Pinterest

Anyone can pull off shimmer. Trust me! How to do it? Choose one item- either a top or bottom piece and keep the rest muted with basic neutrals like black, white, grey or beige. Even a pair of jeans can be made party-ready by just pairing them with a sequenced blazer or embellished shirt. Add heels to pull it all together and you're ready to P-A-R-T-Y!

BLACK WITH A STEP UP

source: Pinterest | Nordstrom

If you like classic looks, go for all black with a pop of leopard print. Choose a form-fitting black ensemble and a basic leopard print pump. Easy and chic! TIP: add a red lip for extra va-va-voom!

We love when Holistic Health Coach, Lise Blinn, shares her nutrition wisdom with us! Today's post was written by Lise and is all about how eating a diet rich in Vitamin E will help you GLOW from within.

​Let's get to it!

What if I told you that there was a magic potion that you could take and it would help your skin stay young-looking, glowing and vibrant?

Well, there is! It does exist and you have access to it on a daily basis. You're probably already consuming this fountain of youth-type nutrient without even realizing the beneficial effects that it has on your body.

This nutrient is vitamin E.

​Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it is absorbed into the body through fatty tissue. This vitamin contains anti-inflammatory properties and helps promote the immune system as well as cell function and skin health.

Sure, you can get vitamin E from supplements. However, the best source of vitamins, including vitamin E, is always nutrient-rich foods. Natural vitamin E, which is more potent than its synthetic version, is often listed as d-alpha-tocopherol on food labels while its synthetic form is often referred to as dl-alpha-tocopherol. Vitamins help maintain skin's appearance and health and can also be used to treat a variety of skin conditions like acne and psoriasis. As an antioxidant, vitamin E helps to neutralize free radicals which are compounds that cause cell damage and can cause several serious health problems. This cell damage also include skin cells. Adding more vitamin E to your diet may reduce free radical damage caused by sun exposure, toxins in the environment, etc. Vitamin E may also increase the production of our skin's collagen, decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.​

Some foods rich in vitamin E include:

sunflower seeds {top your salad or throw into your granola}

almonds {lightly toast to make this easy snack even tastier}

wheat germ oil {add to your morning smoothie}

hazelnuts {blend it into a butter}

pine nuts

salmon {bake for dinner and use leftovers to make a yummy salmon salad for lunch}